WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MAY 12, 2022
TOPIC: EMULATE THE MEEKNESS OF CHRIST
BY T. O. BANSO
âHe was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, and who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earthâ (Acts 8:32b-33 New King James Version).
Eastonâs Bible Dictionary defines meekness as âA calm temper of mind, not easily provoked.â A meek person is not weak. He is only refraining from using his strength or power thereby giving another person or others an advantage over him.
Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary differentiates between meekness and weakness thus: âAn attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward men, springing from a recognition that God is in control. Although weakness and meekness may look similar, they are not the same. Weakness is due to negative circumstances, such as lack of strength or lack of courage. But meekness is due to a person’s conscious choice. It is strength and courage under control, coupled with kindness.â Meekness is not the same as weakness.
In the beatitudes, Jesus said that blessed were the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). Jesus was a perfect example of meekness when He was on earth. He said in Matthew 11:29, âTake my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your soulsâ (King James Version).
The Bible says of Jesus that He was denied justice and He remained calm. He was led like a gentle lamb to the slaughter and He didnât resist His accusers. He was the Lamb of God that took away the sins of the whole world. Acts 8:32b-33 says, âHe was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, and who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earthâ (New King James Version). The passage was quoted from Isaiah 53:7-8. Jesus was meek, not weak.
During His arrest, Peter, trying to defend Jesus, cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, with a sword (John 18:10). But what did Jesus say? âSo Jesus said to Peter, âPut your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?ââ (Verse 11 New King James Version).
Matthew also records the incident and records the response of Jesus this way: âPut your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?â (Matthew 26:52-54 New King James Version).
Jesus wasnât making an empty boast. Meekness says, âGod is in control and Iâm not going to help myself even when I can.â Jesus didnât support what Peter did. He knew His time to be crucified was near and He had told His disciples this repeatedly. Therefore, He didnât use His power to prevent His arrest. Responding to the use of the sword by Peter, Jesus said, âPermit even thisâ (Luke 22:51). He then touched Malchus’ ear and healed him.
During His trial, Jesus didnât put up a strong defence. He allowed the Jewish leaders to have their way. Pilate said to Him, Â âAre You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?â (John 19:10 New King James Version). But Jesus answered, âYou could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sinâ (Verse 11 New King James Version).
Hardly can we find anyone who had the kind of power that Jesus had and would keep silent when His enemies were determined to kill Him (Matthew 26:63; 27:12, 14; Mark 14:61; 15:5). But Jesus was meek. He refused to use His power even at the point of death.
On the cross, while He was being humiliated, Jesus remained calm; He didnât fight back; He didnât curse those who plotted His death and put pressure on Pilate to approve His crucifixion even when he had said he found Him innocent of the charge against Him. 1 Peter 2:23 says when He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. Jesusâ response on the cross was, âFather, forgive them, for they do not know what they doâ (Luke 23:34 New King James Version). Emulate the meekness of Christ.
That was what Stephen, the first Christian martyr, did. He emulated the meekness as he was being stoned to death. He didnât call down thunder and fire. He didnât ask God to avenge his persecution. He knew God was in control of his life. Calling on his Saviour, the Lord Jesus, to receive his spirit, he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, âLord, do not charge them with this sinâ (Acts 7:60 New King James Version). After this, he fell asleep â he died
Colossians 3:12 says the elect of God should put on meekness along with tender mercies, kindness, humility, and longsuffering. Meekness (gentleness) is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Cooperate with the Holy Spirit to produce this fruit in your life. Emulate the meekness of Christ. Develop a calm temper of mind that is not easily provoked. Let your strength be under control. Pursue meekness (gentleness) (1 Timothy 6:11). Develop an attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward men.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life â your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Holy Spirit, I will cooperate with You to produce in my life meekness, which is a fruit of the Spirit. Help me to develop a calm temper so that I will not be easily provoked. Help me to put my strength and courage under control and put on kindness. Enable me to cultivate an attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward men, springing from a recognition that God is in control. Father, help all Your children to be meek as Christ was on earth.
(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
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